6644 —חנוכה, לימוד תורה, ותפקידו של כל תלמיד

B"H, 13 Teves, 5719.

Brooklyn, NY.

To the students of the Shaarei Chessed Evening Yeshiva under Tzeirei Agudas Chabad in the Holy City of Jerusalem may it be rebuilt and established; may Hashem be upon them and grant them life.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

In due time I received your letter marking two years since the founding of the yeshiva. Afterwards, I was pleased to receive news about the gathering you held for all the evening yeshiva students and about the examinations that took place during Chanukah.

I am sending each one of you my blessing based on what is explained in several places: The matter of Chanukah was "to make them forget Your Torah and to cause them to transgress the statutes of Your will." That is, the intent of the wicked Greek kingdom was not to forbid Torah study altogether as wisdom but specifically to make them forget Your Torah—the perfect Torah of Hashem. Similarly regarding mitzvah observance: they did not object to performing rational mitzvos but specifically to those statutes that have no apparent reason—and even then only if they were not G‑d's decrees specifically, but rather the will of the Creator.

Through the self-sacrifice of Bnei Yisrael—men, women, and children—the wicked were delivered into the hands of the righteous and sinners into the hands of those who engage in Your Torah. A new festival was added for Israel to give thanks and praise to His great Name in a manner that continually increases light—illuminating exile's darkness through the Chanukah candle according to Beis Hillel's ruling.

Based on what is said: "Ner Hashem Nishmas Adam" (the soul of man is G‑d's candle), every Jew is a candle of Hashem. His mission—as stated in Mishnah: "I was created to serve my Maker"—is to illuminate his portion in this world; not just his animal soul but also his surroundings and beyond, as with lighting Chanukah candles at one's doorway facing outward.

May it be G‑d's will that all this be fulfilled in each one of you in a manner that continually increases light.

Blessings for good news regarding all these matters.

It is understood that everything mentioned applies also to your friends—may they live—in other branches of evening yeshivas. Certainly you will convey these words to them; most importantly—you should serve as a living example of a good and successful student, fitting with our Rebbeim’s hopes and intentions—may their merit protect us.

Summary

The Rebbe teaches that Hanukkah’s lesson is ongoing: every Jew must illuminate their environment with Torah and mitzvos despite challenges. Students are encouraged not only to learn but also to inspire others by personal example—spreading ever-increasing light.